Toner cartridge

ABSTRACT

A toner cartridge includes a housing and a shutter inserted therein. The housing has a first partially cylindrical wall and a box-like portion that communicates with the first partially cylindrical wall. The shutter has a second partially cylindrical wall inserted inside the first partially cylindrical wall such that the second partially cylindrical wall is slidable on and concentric with an inner surface of the first partially cylindrical wall. The shutter has a supporting member that engages the housing to support the shutter such that the second partially cylindrical wall is in pressure contact with the first partially cylindrical wall. The supporting member may be in the shape of an arcuate member or ring that engages a part of the box-like portion so that the shutter is rotatably supported in the housing by the part and the first partially cylindrical wall. The housing has a projection or rib that inwardly projects toward the first partially cylindrical wall. The projection abuts the arcuate member so that the shutter is rotatably supported in the housing by the arcuate member and the first partially cylindrical wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toner cartridge for use in anelectrophotographic image recording apparatus such as printers andcopying machines.

2. Description of the Related Art

Toner cartridges can be classified into two types according to theirouter shapes: a substantial cylindrical housing and anunconventionally-shaped housing, which is a combination of cylinder andother shapes.

An unconventionally-shaped toner cartridge has a sealing member thatcloses a toner exit formed in the housing. After the toner cartridge hasbeen installed into the printer, the sealing member is removed so thatthe toner cascades into the developing unit of the printer.

A conventional cylinder type toner cartridge includes a substantiallycylindrical housing and a cylindrical or arcuate shutter rotatablyinserted into the cylindrical housing in alignment with a toner exitformed in the cylindrical housing. When the shutter is rotated relativethe housing, the shutter rotates between a closing position and anopening position, thereby closing or opening the toner exit. Until thetoner cartridge has been installed, the shutter closes the toner exit tohold the toner in the cartridge. After the toner cartridge has beeninstalled, the shutter is rotated to open the toner exit, therebycascading the toner into the developing unit of the printer.

With the conventionally-shaped housing, the sealing member that closesthe toner exit is removed from the toner exit. Therefore, the toner exitremains open when the empty toner cartridge is taken out of the printer.Thus, the toner may scatter through the toner exit causing soiling ofthe interior of the printer. Thus, only remnants of the aforementionedunconventionally-shaped housing is difficult to handle when the emptytoner cartridge is taken out.

A limitation of the conventional cylindrical housing is that the outershape of the housing cannot be selected freely. The only way ofproviding a large-capacity housing is to increase the diameter of thecylindrical housing. Thus, it is difficult for the cylinder type tonercartridge to overcome a problem of limited mounting space in theprinter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned drawbacksof the conventional toner cartridges.

An object of the invention is to provide a toner cartridge that is easyto handle when the cartridge is taken out of the printer and discarded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toner cartridge thatsolves the problem of limited mounting space in the printer.

A toner cartridge comprises a housing and a shutter inserted therein.The housing has a first partially cylindrical wall and a box-likeportion that communicates with the first partially cylindrical wall. Theshutter has a second partially cylindrical wall inserted inside thefirst partially cylindrical wall such that the second partiallycylindrical wall is slidable on and concentric with an inner surface ofthe first partially cylindrical wall. The shutter has a supportingmember that engages the housing to support the shutter such that thesecond partially cylindrical wall is in pressure contact with the firstpartially cylindrical wall.

The supporting member may be an arcuate member that extends acrosscircumferential ends of the second partially cylindrical wall andengages a part of the box-like portion so that the shutter is rotatablysupported in the housing by the part and the first partially cylindricalwall.

The housing has a projection or rib that inwardly projects toward thefirst partially cylindrical wall. The projection abuts the arcuatemember so that the shutter is rotatably supported in the housing by thearcuate member and the first partially cylindrical wall.

The projection has a stepped portion formed therein, the supportingmember engages the stepped portion so that the shutter is positionedrelative to the housing.

The shutter has a cylindrical portion adjacent the second partiallycylindrical wall. The housing has a cylindrical portion into which thecylindrical portion of the shutter is slidably inserted. The cylindricalportion of the housing has a sealing member that wraps around theshutter's cylindrical portion to seal a gap between the two cylindricalportions.

The sealing member has longitudinal ends with shapes that fit togetherin a manner avoiding overlap.

When the shutter is at the toner-discharging position, the secondpartially cylindrical wall is aligned with the first partiallycylindrical wall such that the second partially cylindrical wall isoutside of a space defined by the box-like portion.

The housing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a small widthportion and a large width portion adjacent to the small width portion.

The housing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a side platethat closes one of the two longitudinal ends of the housing. The sideplate has a first engagement portion extending toward the housing andengages the housing, and the housing has a second engagement portionextending toward the side plate and engages the side plate.

The shutter has a toner agitating member that extends in a longitudinaldirection of the shutter. A drive section is provided at one oflongitudinal ends of the shutter. A sealing member provides a sealbetween the shutter and the drive section. The drive section drives thetoner agitating member in rotation.

The shutter has a cylindrical portion adjacent the second partiallycylindrical wall, and a wall that closes the cylindrical portion and islocated between the drive section and the cylindrical portion. The wallhas at least one projection that engages the sealing member to preventfrom rotating when the drive section drives the toner agitating memberin rotation.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become fully understood from the detaileddescription given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which aregiven by way of illustration only, and thus are not limiting the presentinvention, and wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a toner cartridge according toa first embodiment, illustrating the toner cartridge as seen in oppositedirections;

FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toner cartridgetaken along line IIA—IIA of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge taken alonglines IIB—IIB;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a shutter;

FIG. 4 illustrates the shutter at a toner-discharging position;

FIG. 5 illustrates the shutter at a toner-non discharging position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, illustrating the shutter;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary partial cross-sectional view illustrating aresilient sealing member; before it is bonded to the shutter;

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate the resilient sealing member before it is bondedto the shutter;

FIGS. 8C-8F illustrate variations of the resilient sealing member;

FIGS. 9-11 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of the toner cartridge;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the housing and a side plate,illustrating the mounting construction of the side plate;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are fragmentary cross-sectional views, illustrating themounting construction of the housing and side plate;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the resilient sealing memberand the shutter;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view, showing the resilient sealing memberand the wall;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view, showing the resilient sealing memberand the wall;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side view of the semi-cylindrical portion,showing the toner exit and resilient sealing member;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the toner cartridge;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are cross-sectional views of the toner cartridge whenthe toner is discharged, FIG. 20A being a cross-sectional view takenalong lines XIIA—XIIA of FIG. 19 and FIG. 20B being a cross-sectionalview taken along lines XIIB—XIIB of FIG. 19; and

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate different shapes of a ring member and abox-like portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in detail by way of example.

First Embodiment

{Overall construction}

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a toner cartridge according toa first embodiment. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the toner cartridge asseen in opposite directions.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the toner cartridge extends generally in alongitudinal direction, and includes a housing 1 and a shutter 2rotatably inserted into the housing 1. The housing 1 is a hollow housingthat includes a longitudinally extending substantially semi-cylindrical(or partially cylindrical) portion 1A, a longitudinally extendingbox-like (or rectangular prism) portion 1B that communicates with thesemi-cylindrical portion 1A, and a cylindrical portion 1C. The housing 1has an opening at each longitudinal end. The toner cartridge has a sideplate 5 assembled thereto at one of the openings at the longitudinalends, and a drive force transmitting mechanism 8 (FIG. 2A) assembled atthe other of the openings at longitudinal ends. A cap 6 fitted to atoner filling opening 5a in the side plate 5. The box-like portion 1Bhas a wide portion 1h (or large width portion) adjacent to the sideplate 5 and a narrow portion (or small width portion) 1e adjacent to aknob 2D.

FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toner cartridgetaken along line IIA—IIA of FIGS. 1A-1B.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge taken alonglines IIB—IIB of FIGS. 1A-1B.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a toner-agitating member 9 extends in the shutter 2in a longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge. The drive forcetransmitting mechanism 8 drives the toner-agitating member 9 inrotation.

The shutter 2 and housing 1 are molded from, for example, a plasticmaterial. Resilient sealing members 3, 4, 7, and 10 provide a sealbetween the housing 1 and the shutter 2, thereby preventing the toner inthe toner cartridge from leaking.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the semi-cylindrical portion 1A has atoner exit 1a through which the toner in the toner cartridge isdischarged into a developing unit of the printer. The box-like portion1B has a rib that extends into the toner cartridge toward thesemi-cylindrical portion 1A. The box-like portion 1B also extends alongthe longitudinal direction of the box-like portion 1B.

The rib 1b has a stepped portion 1c at a tip thereof between thelongitudinal ends of the housing. The shutter 2 is inserted into thehousing 1 from one of the longitudinal ends, and the side plate 5 ismounted to the other of the longitudinal ends. The cap 6 is attached tothe side plate 5 to close the toner filling opening 5a. The housing 1has projections 1g and grooves 1f near the side plate 5 (only oneprojection and one groove 1f are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B). The grooves1f (FIG. 12) are formed therein into which the side plate 5 fits.

Thus, the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment is a tonercartridge having an unconventionally-shaped housing, which is acombination of the longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical portion 1Aand the longitudinally extending rectangular box-like portion 1B.

The box-like portion can have an outer shape configured to a space inthe printer into which the toner cartridge is installed. Theunconventionally-shaped housing provides a greater degree of freedom indesigning a high capacity toner cartridge.

{Construction of Shutter}

FIGS. 3-6 are perspective views illustrating the shutter 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the shutter 2 is of a one-piece construction thatincludes a semi-cylindrical (or partially cylindrical) portion 2A and aknob 2D. There is provided a short cylindrical portion 2C between theknob 2D and the semi-cylindrical portion 2A. The end of the knob 2D isclosed by a wall 2d. Two arcuate reinforcements 2B-1 and 2B-2 connectcircumferential ends of the semi-cylindrical portion 2A, the arcuatereinforcement and the semi-cylindrical portion 2A forming a completecylinder or ring. The knob 2D has a lever 2e projecting tangentiallytherefrom. The semi-cylindrical portion 2A is formed with a toner exit2a therein.

FIG. 4 illustrates the shutter 2 at a toner-discharging position.

FIG. 5 illustrates the shutter 2 at a toner non-discharging position.

The shutter 2 is rotatable relative to the semi-cylindrical portion 1Aof the housing 1 and movable between the toner-discharging portion andthe toner non-discharging position. When the shutter 2 is at thetoner-discharging position, the toner exits 1a and 2a are in alignmentwith each other, so that the toner in the toner cartridge is dischargedinto the developing unit of the printer. When the shutter 2 is at thetoner-non discharging position, the toner exits 1a and 2a are not inalignment with each other. Thus, the toner in the toner cartridgeremains sealed. The toner exit 2a is slightly smaller than the tonerexit 1a.

When the shutter 2 is at the toner-discharging position, thesemi-cylindrical portion 2A entirely opposes the semi-cylindricalportion 1A and does not project into a space defined by the rectangularbox-like portion 1B. Thus, the semi-cylindrical portion 2A will notinterfere with the toner cascading from the box-like portion 1B. Whenthe shutter 2 is at the toner non-discharging position, a part of thesemi-cylindrical portion 2A does not oppose the semi-cylindrical portion1A but extends into the rectangular box-like space 1B as shown in FIG.5.

The short cylinders or rings, which are defined by the semi-cylindricalportion 2A and the reinforcements 2B-1 and 2B-2, are rotatably supportedby the rib 1b and the semi-cylindrical portion 1A.

The stepped portion 1c formed in the rib 1b engages the reinforcements2B-1, thereby restricting the movement of the shutter 2 in thelongitudinal direction thereof.

When the user attaches the toner cartridge into the printer or detachesthe toner cartridge from the printer, the user's finger can access thenarrow portion 1e so that the user can firmly hold the toner cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, illustrating the shutter 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary partial cross-sectional view illustrating theresilient sealing member 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, a resilient sealing member 4 is bonded to the outersurface of the cylindrical portion 2C of the shutter 2 using an adhesiveor a double-sided tape.

Referring to FIG. 7, the resilient sealing member 4 wraps all around theouter surface of the cylindrical portion 2C in such a way thatlongitudinal ends of the sealing member 4 do not overlap each other. Thesealing member 4 has longitudinal ends with shapes that fit together ina manner avoiding overlap.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate the resilient sealing member 4 before it isbonded to the shutter 2.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the longitudinal ends of the sealing member 4 havecutouts 4a and 4b, so that the longitudinal ends are complimentary toeach other and overlap in a circumferential direction. The resilientsealing member 4 seals the gap between the outer circumferential surfaceof the semi-cylindrical portion 2A of the shutter 2 and the innercircumferential surface of the semi-cylindrical portion 1A of thehousing 1, thereby preventing toner leakage through the gap between thecylindrical portion 2C and the cylindrical portion 1C.

The resilient sealing member 4 is bonded on the outer circumferentialsurface of the semi-cylindrical portion 2A of the shutter 2.

FIGS. 8C-8F illustrative variations 40-42 of the resilient sealingmember 4.

The resilient sealing member 4 may be of other shapes such as shown inFIGS. 8C, 8E, and 8F. It is to be noted that all variations 40-42 of theresilient member 4 have longitudinal ends that fit together in a manneravoiding overlap. It is also to be noted that all variations of theresilient member 4 have longitudinal ends whose sides are at angles withan “axis” passing through the center of a “ring” of the resilientsealing member 4. In other words, the sides are at angles with thelongitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion 2C of the shutter 2.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the resilient sealing member4 as shown in FIG. 8C.

As shown in FIG. 6, the resilient sealing member 3 is formed with anopening 3a and an opening 3b therein. When the shutter 2 is at thetoner-discharging position (FIG. 4), the opening 3a is in alignment withthe toner exit 2a. When the shutter 2 is at the toner non-dischargingposition (FIG. 5), the semi-cylindrical portion 2A is exposed throughthe opening 3b. It is to be noted that, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, whenthe shutter 2 is either at the toner non-discharging position and thetoner-discharging position, the resilient sealing member 3 is mounted tothe semi-cylindrical portion 2A at such a location that the resilientsealing member 3 does not enter a space defined by the box-like portion1B.

{Construction of Housing}

FIGS. 10-11 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of the tonercartridge.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the housing 1 and the sideplate 5, illustrating the mounting construction of the side plate.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are fragmentary cross-sectional views, illustrating themounting construction of the housing 1 and side plate 5.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view including the groove 1f of the housing1 and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a projection 1g.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 12, the side plate 5 is assembled to thehousing 1 on the longitudinal end thereof remote from the cylindricalportion 1C. The side plate 5 has the toner filling opening 5a throughwhich toner is filled into the toner cartridge, and four engagements 5bthat extend toward the housing 1 and has holes 5d formed therein. Afterthe toner has been filled in the toner cartridge, the cap 6 is fitted tothe holes 5a, thereby sealingly closing the toner cartridge. Sandwichedbetween the side plate 5 and the housing 1 is the resilient sealingmember 7.

Referring to FIGS. 13-14, the engagement 5b engages the outer peripheralsurface of the housing 1 while the hole 5d receives the projection 1gformed on the outer periphery of the housing 1. The groove 1f of thehousing 1 engages the outer periphery of the side plate 5. The resilientsealing member 7 is in the shape of a loop and is sandwiched between theside plate 5 and the housing 1 to seal the gap therebetween. Theresilient sealing member 7 prevents the movement of the side plate 5 andthe housing 1 relative to each other and effectively seals the gapbetween the side plate 5 and housing 1.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the knob 2D has a hollow space therein inwhich the drive force transmitting mechanism 8 is assembled in such away that it is rotatable relative to the knob 2D. Inside the shutter 2,the toner-agitating member 9 is provided. The toner-agitating member 9has one end 9b that is rotatably supported by the side plate 5 and theother end 9a that extends through the opening formed in the wall 2d andis coupled to be drive force transmitting mechanism 8.

FIG. 15 is a exploded perspective view of the resilient sealing member10 and the shutter 12.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view, showing the resilient seal member 10and the wall 2d.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the sealing member 10 is, in the shape of aring, and is sandwiched between the wall 2d and the end portion 9a (FIG.11) of the toner-agitating member 9. There are provided a plurality ofprojections 2h that are aligned angularly and dig into the resilientsealing member 10. Thus, when the toner-agitating member 9 is rotated,the projection 2h firmly holds the resilient sealing member 10 so thatthe resilient sealing member 10 does not rotate together with thetoner-agitating member 9.

{Assembly steps of toner cartridge}

The manufacturing steps of the toner cartridge according to the firstembodiment will now be described.

The resilient sealing member 4 is made of a material such as sponge.Once it is stretched, it may remain substantially stretched. Thus, it isdifficult to properly bond the resilient sealing member 4 to the outerperipheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2C of the shutter 2.

For this reason, prior to the bonding of the resilient sealing member 4,a non-stretchable member 11 is attached to the resilient sealing member4 using, for example, a double-sided tape. The non-stretchable member 11is made of a material such as PRT (polyethylene terephthalate) and ofthe same size as the resilient sealing member 4.

Then, the resilient sealing member 4 is bonded to the cylinder 2C withthe non-stretchable member 11 directly facing the cylinder 2C of theshutter 2. Alternatively, the non-stretchable member 11 is first bondedto the resilient sealing member 4. Then, the resilient sealing member 4is bonded to the cylindrical portion 2C with the non-stretchable member11 not facing the cylindrical portion 2C. Then, the non-stretchablemember 11 is peeled off the resilient sealing member 4. For thispurpose, the non-stretchable member 11 should be such that can easily bepeeled off the resilient sealing member 4 once the resilient sealingmember 4 has been bonded to the shutter 2.

The non-stretchable member 11 prevents the sealing member 4 from beinginadvertently stretched, thereby facilitating the assembly of theresilient sealing member 4 with a predetermined dimensional accuracy.

Before being mounted on the cylindrical portion 2A, the resilientsealing member 3 is a flat member. The resilient sealing member 3 isformed with openings 3a and 3b (FIGS. 3-6) therein.

Just like the resilient sealing member 4, a non-stretchable member isbonded to the resilient sealing member 3 and the resilient sealingmember 3 is then bonded to the semi-cylindrical portion 2A. With the aidof the non-stretchable member, the resilient sealing member 3 can bebonded to the semi-cylindrical portion 2A with a predetermineddimensional accuracy.

Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the resilient sealing member 10 is theninserted into the cylindrical portion 2C until the resilient sealingmember 10 abuts the inner wall 2d of the cylindrical portion 2C. Then,the drive force transmitting mechanism 8 is assembled into the space inthe knob 2D. Then, the toner-agitating member 9 is coupled to the driveforce transmitting mechanism 8 with the resilient sealing member 10sandwiched between the wall 2d and the end 9a of the toner-agitatingmember 9. The projections 2h on the wall 2d firmly hold the resilientsealing member 10, thereby preventing the resilient sealing member 10from being inadvertently rotated.

After the resilient sealing members 3, 4, 7, and 10, toner-agitatingmember 9, and drive force transmitting mechanism 8 have been assembledto the shutter 2, the shutter 2 is inserted into the semi-cylindricalportion 1A of the housing 1.

The semi-cylindrical portion 2A is inserted into the housing 1 throughthe cylindrical portion 1C, so that the cylindrical portion 2C fits intothe cylindrical portion 1C and then further inserted until thereinforcement 2B engages the stepped portion 1c formed in the rib 1b.

The reinforcement 2B abuts the tip of the rib 1b so that the shutter 2is supported in the housing 1 by the rib and the semi-cylindricalportion 1A. Therefore, the toner exit 1a of the housing 1 is effectivelysealed by the resilient sealing member 3 when the shutter 2 is at thetoner non-discharging position.

A short cylinder or ring defined by the reinforcement 2B andsemi-cylindrical portion 2A, is rotatably supported by the inner surfaceof the semi-cylindrical portion 1A and the rib 1b of the housing 1.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side view of the semi-cylindrical portion 1A,showing the toner exit 1a and resilient sealing member 3.

Then, the driver 2e is operated to rotate the shutter 2 to the tonernon-discharging position where the opening 3b of the resilient sealingmember 3 is aligned with the toner exit 1a. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, asealing tape 12 is bonded to the outer surface of the semi-cylindricalportion 1A of the housing, thereby serving to lock the toner exit 1a.

The sealing tape 12 also sticks to the exposed outer surface of thesemi-cylindrical portion 2A, thereby further ensuring that the shutter 2is at the toner non-discharging position.

The side plate 5 is assembled to the housing 1 with the resilientsealing member 7 between the side plate 5 and the housing 1. Then, thetoner is introduced into the toner cartridge through the toner fillingopening 5a. Then, the cap 6 is attached to the toner filling opening 5ato seal the toner in the toner cartridge. This completes the assembly ofthe toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

{The procedure for attaching the toner cartridge into the printer andthe operation for supplying toner into the developing unit of theprinter}

The developing unit includes a toner cartridge accommodating section, atoner reservoir, and a drive source for driving the toner-agitatingmember 9. The toner cartridge accommodating section is formed with atoner supplying opening through which the toner is supplied from thetoner cartridge into the toner reservoir.

The user peels off the sealing tape 12 and installs the toner cartridgeto the toner cartridge accommodating section, where the toner exit 1a ofthe housing 1 opposes the toner supplying opening and the drive forcetransmitting mechanism 8 of the toner cartridge is coupled to the drivesource.

As the shutter 2 is rotated, the surface of the resilient sealing member3 slides on the inner surface of the semi-cylindrical portion 1A of thehousing 1. If the toner is deposited on the surface of the resilientsealing member 3, a large load is exerted on the shutter 2 when theshutter 2 is rotated. When the shutter 2 rotates, it does not rotatebeyond the semi-cylindrical portion 1A of the housing 1 (FIG. 2B) .Thus, the area of the resilient sealing member 3 in contact with thesemi-cylindrical portion 1A does not contact toner, being free fromlarge rotational loads, which would otherwise be exerted on theresilient member 3 if the toner is deposited on the area.

When the shutter 2 is at the toner-discharging position, thesemi-cylindrical portion 2A of the shutter 2 is not beyond thesemi-cylindrical portion 1A. This allows the toner in the box-likeportion 1B to be smoothly cascaded into the semi-cylindrical portion 2A.

The toner-agitating member 9 is driven in rotation by the drive sourceand the drive force transmitting mechanism 8, thereby agitating thetoner in the toner cartridge so that the toner is efficiently suppliedto the toner reservoir in the printer.

When the toner cartridge becomes empty of toner, the printer indicates amessage to the user. The user then operates the lever 2e of the tonercartridge in the opposite direction to the direction in which the lever2e was operated when the fresh, unused toner was introduced into thedeveloping unit. The lever 2e is operated until the shutter 2 reachesthe toner non-discharging position. Thus, the user removes the tonercartridge from the printer.

Instead of providing the rib 1b, the box-like portion 1B can have a flatwall as shown in FIG. 17 so that the shutter 2 is supported between theflat wall and the semi-cylindrical portion 1A.

Second Embodiment

Just as in the first embodiment, the housing 1 is a hollow body thatincludes a semi-cylindrical portion 1A, box-like portion 1B, and acylindrical portion 21C adjacent to the semi-cylindrical portion 1A.

The toner cartridge according to the second embodiment is also inodd-shape type toner cartridge with a box-like portion that can beconfigured to a space available in the printer.

FIGS. 19 and 20A-20B illustrate a toner cartridge according to a secondembodiment.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the toner cartridge.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge whenthe toner is discharged, FIG. 20A being a cross-sectional view takenalong lines XIIA—XIIA of FIG. 19 and

FIG. 20B being a cross-sectional view taken along lines XIIA—XIIA ofFIG. 19.

Like elements have been given like reference numerals throughout FIGS.19 and 20A-20B.

Referring to FIG. 19, unlike the first embodiment, a ring 23 is used inplace of an arcuate reinforcement 2B. The ring 23 allows the shutter 22to be rotatably supported in the housing 21.

As the shutter 22 is rotated relative to the housing 21, the projection22g slides along the slit 21g between the toner discharging position andthe toner non-discharging position. The opposing longitudinal ends ofthe slit 21g correspond to the toner discharging position and thetoner-discharging position, respectively. The slit 21g prevents theshutter 22 from moving in a longitudinal direction of the shutter 22.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20A-20B, the toner cartridge according tothe.second embodiment includes a housing 21, a shutter 22 inserted intothe housing 21, resilient sealing members 3, 4, 7, and 10, a side plate5, a cap 6, a drive force transmitting mechanism 8, an toner-agitatingmember 9, and a ring member 23. Although only one ring member isprovided, a larger number of the ring members 23 can be used.

Referring to FIGS. 20A-20B, the shutter 22 includes a semi-cylindricalportion 22A, a knob 2D, and a cylindrical portion 22C between thesemi-cylindrical portion 22A and the knob 22D.

The semi-cylindrical portion 22A is formed with a fitting groove 22f inan inner circumferential surface thereof into which the ring member 23is fittingly received. The cylindrical portion 22C of the shutter 22 isformed with a projection 22g, which projects into a slit 21g formed inthe cylindrical portion 21C of the housing 21.

The ring member 23 engages the stepped portion 1c in the rib 1b of thehousing 21 and fits into the groove 22f formed in the inner surface ofthe semi-cylindrical portion 22A. Thus, the ring member 23 enables theshutter 22 to be rotatably supported by the rib and the semi-cylindricalportion 22A.

It is to be noted that the ring member 23 is not secured to thesemi-cylindrical portion 22A of the shutter 22, but is rotatableindependently of the semi-cylindrical portion 22A. This structurealleviates rotational load of the shutter 22, thus reducing the chanceof the shutter of flexing or twisting.

The ring member 23 is not secured to the semi-cylindrical portion 22A ofthe shutter. Thus, the ring member 23 is rotatable independent from thesemi-cylindrical portion 22A, thereby alleviating deflection and torsionof the shutter 22.

The outer diameter of the ring member 23 is substantially the same asthe inner diameter of the semi-cylindrical portion 22A. However, theymay be of different diameters.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate the different shapes of the ring member 23and the box-like portion 1B.

For example, as shown in FIG. 21 the semi-cylindrical portion may have alarge diameter than the ring member 23. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 22the toner cartridge may be a combination of a semi-cylindrical portionand a box-like portion having a substantially rectangular cross sectionwith no rib formed. In this case, the ring member 23 may have arectangular portion that abuts the inner wall of the box-like portion1B.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art intended tobe included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A toner cartridge comprising: a housing having a first partiallycylindrical wall and a non-cylindrical portion that communicates with apartially cylindrical space defined by the first partially cylindricalwall; a shutter within the partially cylindrical space, the shutterhaving a second partially cylindrical wall, slidably engaging an innersurface of the first partially cylindrical wall, and a supporting memberthat urges said shutter against the inner surface of the first partiallycylindrical wall.
 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, whereinsaid supporting member is an arcuate member that extends acrosscircumferential ends of the second partially cylindrical wall andengages a part of said non-cylindrical portion so that said shutter isrotatably supported in said housing by the part and the first partiallycylindrical wall.
 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, whereinsaid housing has a projection that inwardly projects toward the firstpartially cylindrical wall; wherein the projection abuts the arcuatemember so that said shutter is rotatably supported in said housing bythe arcuate member and the first partially cylindrical wall.
 4. Thetoner cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the projection has astepped portion formed therein, said supporting member engages thestepped portion so that said shutter is positioned relative to saidhousing.
 5. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein saidsupporting member is at least one ring member that engages the secondpartially cylindrical wall and a part of said housing so that saidshutter is rotatably supported in said housing by the housing part andthe first partially cylindrical wall.
 6. The toner cartridge accordingto claim 5, wherein said housing has a projection that inwardly projectstoward the first partially cylindrical wall; wherein the projectionabuts the ring member so that said shutter is rotatably supported insaid housing by the ring member and the first partially cylindricalwall.
 7. The toner cartridge according to claim 6, wherein theprojection has a stepped portion formed therein, and wherein saidsupporting member engages the stepped portion so that said shutter ispositioned relative to said housing.
 8. The toner cartridge according toclaim 1, wherein said shutter has a toner exit formed in the secondpartially cylindrical wall and a sealing member that is provided on anouter surface of the second partially cylindrical wall to surround thetoner exit, wherein said housing has a first engagement portion and saidshutter has a second engagement portion that engages the firstengagement portion, the first engagement portion defining an extent ofrotation of said second partially cylindrical wall relative to saidfirst partially cylindrical wall.
 9. The toner cartridge according toclaim 1, wherein said housing has a toner exit formed therein, whereinsaid shutter is movable between a toner discharging position and a tonernon-discharging position, further comprising a sealing member providedon a location of an outer surface of said shutter such that the sealingmember surround the toner exit when said shutter is at the tonernon-discharging position.
 10. The toner cartridge according to claim 9,wherein when said shutter is at the toner-discharging position, thesecond partially cylindrical wall is aligned with the first partiallycylindrical wall such that the second partially cylindrical wall isoutside of a space defined by said non-cylindrical portion.
 11. Thetoner cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the sealing member isprovided such that the sealing member is outside of the space defined bysaid non-cylindrical portion when said shutter is at thetoner-discharging position and when said shutter is at the tonernon-discharging discharging position.
 12. The toner cartridge accordingto claim 1, wherein said shutter has a first cylindrical portionadjacent the second partially cylindrical wall, said housing has asecond cylindrical portion into which the first cylindrical portion isslidably inserted, wherein the second cylindrical portion has a sealingmember that wraps around the first cylindrical portion to seal a gapbetween the first cylindrical portion and second the cylindricalportion.
 13. The toner cartridge according to claim 12, wherein thesealing member has longitudinal ends with shapes that fit together in amanner avoiding overlap.
 14. The toner cartridge according to claim 1,wherein said housing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a smallwidth portion and a large width portion adjacent to the small widthportion.
 15. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein saidhousing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a side plate thatcloses one of longitudinal ends of said housing, wherein the side platehas a first engagement portion extending toward said housing and engagessaid housing, and said housing has a second engagement portion extendingtoward and engaging the side plate.
 16. The toner cartridge according toclaim 15, further comprising a sealing member sandwiched between saidhousing and the side plate.
 17. The toner cartridge according to claim15, wherein a first one of the first engagement portion and the secondengagement portion is formed such that a second one of the firstengagement portion and the second engagement portion is sandwiched bythe first one of the first engagement portion and the second engagementportion.
 18. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, furthercomprising a toner agitating member that extends in a longitudinaldirection of said shutter, a drive section at one of two longitudinalends of said shutter, and a sealing member that provides a seal betweensaid shutter and the drive section, wherein the drive section drives thetoner agitating member in rotation.
 19. The toner cartridge according toclaim 18, wherein said shutter has a cylindrical portion adjacent thesecond partially cylindrical wall, and a closing wall that closes thecylindrical portion and is located between the drive section and thecylindrical portion, wherein the closing wall has at least oneprojection that engages the sealing member to prevent the sealing memberfrom rotating when the drive section drives the toner agitating memberin rotation.
 20. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein saidshutter has a cylindrical portion adjacent the second partiallycylindrical wall, the cylindrical portion having an operating memberexposed on an outside of said housing so that the operating member canbe operated externally.
 21. A toner cartridge comprising: a housinghaving a first portion defined by a first arcuate wall and a secondportion defined by a non-arcuate wall; and a shutter provided in saidhousing and having a second arcuate wall that is slidable along an innersurface of the first arcuate wall; and a supporting member that urgessaid shutter against the inner surface of the first arcuate wall. 22.The A toner cartridgeaccording to claim 21 , wherein comprising: ahousing having a first portion defined by a first arcuate wall and asecond portion defined by a non-arcuate wall; and a shutter provided insaid housing and having a second arcuate wall that is slidable along aninner surface of the first wall, said shutter further comprisesincludinga first cylindrical portion andthat includes the second arcuate wall;wherein said housing comprises a part that supports the firstcylindrical portion such that the first cylindrical portion is rotatableabout an axis relative to said housing and the second arcuate wall isslidable in an arcuate path on the first arcuate wall.
 23. The tonercartridge according to claim 22, wherein said shutter longitudinallyextends in a direction parallel to the axis, the first cylindricalportion is formed at at least one longitudinal end of said shutter;wherein said housing longitudinally extends in a direction parallel tothe axis, and the part that supports the first cylindrical portion is ata longitudinal end of said housing.
 24. The toner cartridge according toclaim 23, wherein the first cylindrical portion comprises an operatingmember exposed on said housing so that when the operating member isoperated, the operating member causes said shutter to rotate about theaxis.
 25. The toner cartridge according to claim 24, wherein saidhousing has a second cylindrical portion into which the firstcylindrical portion is slidably inserted, wherein the first cylindricalportion has a sealing member that wraps around the first cylindricalportion to seal a gap between the first cylindrical portion and thesecond cylindrical portion.
 26. The toner cartridge according to claim25, wherein the sealing member has longitudinal ends with shapes thatfit together in a manner avoiding overlap.
 27. The toner cartridgeaccording to claim 22, wherein said shutter longitudinally extends in adirection parallel to the axis and has a toner-discharging openingformed therein, wherein the first cylindrical portion is formed near thetoner-discharging opening and supported such that the first cylindricalportion is slidable on the first arcuate wall.
 28. The toner cartridgeaccording to claim 27, wherein the part is a projection that inwardlyprojects toward the first arcuate wall; wherein the projection and thefirst arcuate wall engage the first cylindrical portion to hold thefirst cylindrical portion therebetween such that the first cylindricalportion is rotatable.
 29. The toner cartridge according to claim 27,wherein said housing has a toner exit formed therein, wherein saidshutter is movable between a toner discharging position and a tonernon-discharging position, further comprising: a sealing member providedon a location of an outer surface of said shutter such that the sealingmember surround the toner exit when said shutter is at the tonernon-discharging position.
 30. The tone toner cartridge according toclaim 22, wherein said shutter has a toner exit formed in the secondarcuate wall, further comprising a sealing member that is provided on anouter surface of the second arcuate wall to surround the toner exit,wherein said housing has a first engagement portion and said shutter hasa second engagement portion that engages the first engagement portion,the first engagement portion defining an extent of rotation of saidsecond arcuate wall relative to the first arcuate wall.
 31. The tonercartridge according to claim 21, wherein said supporting member attachedto said shutter and engages a part that is attached to the secondportion of the housing.
 32. The toner cartridge according to claim 31,wherein said supporting member is an arcuate member extending from thesecond arcuate wall of the shutter and forms a cylindrical portiontogether with said second arcuate wall, and the part that is attached tothe second portion of the housing projects from said non-arcuate wall.33. The toner cartridge according to claim 32, wherein said arcuatemember slides on the part that is attached to the second portion of thehousing when the shutter slidably moves along the inner surface of thefirst arcuate wall.
 34. The toner cartridge according to claim 21,wherein said housing has a toner exit, and wherein said shutter ismovable between a toner discharging position in which toner isdischarged through said toner exit, and a toner non-dischargingposition.
 35. The toner cartridge according to claim 34, wherein saidshutter has a sealing member on an outer surface of said shutter,sealing a gap between the first arcuate wall and the second arcuatewall.
 36. The toner cartridge according to claim 21, further comprisinga sealing member sealing a gap between the first outer wall and thesecond arcuate wall.
 37. The toner cartridge according to claim 36,wherein the sealing member is on an outer surface of said shutter.